Feudalism, the medieval socio-economic system where land and power were concentrated in the hands of a few, is often considered a relic of the past. But if one looks closely at the dynamics of the 21st century, echoes of this system are still apparent. Instead of lords and serfs, we now have tech conglomerates and gig workers. Instead of castles and fiefdoms,there are corporate headquarters, and virtual networks. The concentration of power and wealth among a handful of global corporations signals the rise of Feudalism 2.0, a system where private entities wield unprecedented influence over public life.
At the height of feudalism, a select few dictated the socio-political and economic conditions of entire regions. Today you have such giants as Amazon, Google, and Meta, and all of them have similar power relations. These companies not only occupy the strategic positions within their industries but also have the power to influence the government decisions, regulate information flows and define further tendencies of development of labor markets. In the same way that the medieval lords owned large pieces of land, these corporations own data – the most important asset of the modern world.
The increasing popularity of the gig economy is a perfect example of how employment structures today resemble feudal structures. In the Middle Ages, serfs tilled on the estates of lords and in return they were given a small portion of the output and were tied to the land. In the same way, workers in companies such as Uber and inDrive etc are bound by schedules and earnings controlled by algorithms. Despite being classified as ‘independent contractors,’ these workers often lack basic protections like health insurance, job security, and fair wages—just as serfs were denied rights and privileges afforded to the ruling elite.
The feudal analogy is further taken to the kind of control these companies exercise over government. In the medieval period, kings and queens were dependent on the lords for supplies and service of armed forces. Likewise, contemporary governments expect corporations to deliver economic development, invention, and even data management. This has led to the fact that the major technology companies have become dominant in shaping the
policies, including the fight against legislation and receiving preferences in the form of tax benefits. In some cases, for example with the recent standoff over encryption laws, corporations have assumed the role of the defenders of rights, openly defying governments—an essential function of the feudal lords.
Furthermore, the digital environments that these technology giants build are like the fiefdoms of the medieval ages, where the users are reduced to digital villeins. Once inside these ecosystems, whether Facebook’s social network or Amazon’s marketplace, users are exposed to rules and regulations set and implemented by the company and with very little to say in the matter. In the same way that serfs could only work for a lord, consumers and small businesses can only be seen, buy and sell, and communicate on these digital platforms.
This corporate feudalism poses a significant threat to democratic governance and societal equity. While feudalism was eventually dismantled by the rise of nation-states and democratic institutions, today’s corporate entities often operate beyond the reach of national laws and regulations. Their transnational nature enables them to evade accountability, leaving a power vacuum that neither governments nor civil society are equipped to fill.
However, the solution to Feudalism 2.0 does not lie in dismantling these corporations outright. Instead, it calls for a reimagining of regulatory frameworks that can hold these entities accountable, just as the Magna Carta in 1215 sought to limit the power of feudal lords. Ensuring labor rights, breaking up monopolistic practices, and establishing global standards for data protection are steps that can rein in the power of corporate lords and restore balance.
In the end, while the trappings of feudalism may look different today—smartphones instead of swords, data instead of land—the core principle remains unchanged: a concentration of power and wealth that subjugates the many for the benefit of the few. Recognizing and addressing this modern feudal order is the first step towards ensuring that history does not repeat itself, even in this digital age.
